– Where to go hiking in the Polish mountains? What are the most beautiful hikes in Poland? – my friend asked me recently. – I would like to go hiking for the first time in many years and I don’t want to be disappointed.
I turned pale and my hands got sweaty. It’s a big responsibility – not to discourage someone to hiking with my advice. And even better to make this person catch the hiking bug. But no matter how long I thought, I couldn’t come up with one answer to this question. How can I choose the most beautiful trail in the Polish mountains if all of them are stunning? 🙂
It’s even worse among my international friends. Some told me that before coming here they were wondering – does Poland have mountains at all?
Well. It certainly does 🙂 and I asked Polish travel bloggers for their hiking in Poland advice.
Each of them chose and described one, favorite trail for trekking in Poland. Now you can inspire yourself with best mountain quotes and the below list, pack your backpack and set off! 🙂
Polish mountains: The most beautiful hikes in Poland
1. Tatra mountains: Grześ – Rakoń – Wołowiec
Maria Magdalena – Okiem Maleny
The hike is almost 26 km long but it gives you the best views of Tatra mountains – hiking is a pleasure! To climb all three peaks you need to leave home early in the morning (around 6 AM). A good idea would be to catch the first “tractor” – a little train which will give you a ride from the parking in Chochołowska Valley to Hucisko Meadow. This allows you to save 3,5 km of quite a boring hike in the forest.
From Hucisko Meadow to Chochołowska Valley you walk along an interesting and enchanting trail along a stream, meadows with little huts and grazing sheep.
The first part of the trail to Grześ goes in the forest and it is quite steep. The picturesque part starts after going out of the forest. Grześ is 1653 m high and it takes you around 1,5h from mountain hut on Chochołowska Meadow.
Hiking Rakoń takes around 1h and you walk along a wide ridge. Rakoń is 1879 m high. From there you have two options – either you climb Wołowiec (2064 m high) or you end your hike on Zawracie Pass and you go back to Chochołowska Meadow.
The hike down isn’t difficult – but during rain the rocky trail gets very slippery. The last kilometers of the hike in the forest seem to be extremely long.
After your hiking along this trail, make sure to order an apple pie with blueberry syrup in the mountain hut.
The hike is almost 26 km long. It is an amazing trail for beginners in the Tatras. Very picturesque, not too difficult with no chains and very steep ascents. You need around 9h for it. Long but definitely one of the best hikes in Poland!
If you plan to hike in Tatra mountains, Poland, it’s best to stay in the town of Zakopane. Check the below cozy option in a great location for an affordable price 🙂
2. Tatra mountains: Granaty and Buczynowe Turnie
Marta – Zwiedzając Świat
Emotions and breathtaking mountain panoramas. During the hike to Granaty and Buczynowe Turnie – in our opinion the most picturesque part of Orla Perć (Eagle’s Path) – you will get both.
Yes, this part of the red trail is demanding especially with bad weather conditions. Tatra mountains, Poland can be demanding. The whole Eagle’s Path is for those who like rocky ridges, who are not afraid of exposure and are absolutely fine with chains and ladders. But it’s also the easiest part of the path and the best one to start your adventure with it.
You can start your hike to Granaty and Buczynowe Turnie from Kuźnice. Through Boczań and Przełęcz między Kopami you will reach Murowaniec mountain hut. Then you hike up to Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy (Black Pond Gąsienicowy) from where you need three hours to reach Zmarzły Staw (Frozen Pond) with a view at famous Zawrat Pass.
Then through Żleb Kulczyńskiego you will get to Zadni Granat (the Back Granat). From there we reach the main red trail which leads through Zadni, Pośredni, Skrajny Granat (Back, Middle, Extreme Granat) and Buczynowe Turnie to Krzyżne Pass. If you want to make a circle you can come back to Kuźnice via Dolina Pańszczycy, Murowaniec and Boczań.
From Krzyżne you can also go down to the Five Ponds Valley and reach the parking in Palenica Białczańska.
The whole trail is 21 km long and the time needed for the hike is around 12h.
12h of unforgettable adventure and stunning views while hiking in Poland.
If you plan to hike in Tatra mountains, Poland, it’s best to stay in the town of Zakopane. Check out the below rooms and apartments in a beautiful Tatra-style wooden house 🙂
3. Tatras: Mięguszowicka Przełęcz pod Chłopkiem
The trail from Palenica Białczańska via Morskie Oko, Czarny Staw pod Rysami to Mięguszowicka Przełęcz pod Chłopkiem (it’s tough to remember, I know 😉 ) is a trail for experienced hikers. It is demanding, it has a lot of exposure. Definitely it is one of the most difficult hikes in Poland. There are parts when you need to use your hands.
It is a long trail with a lot of elevation gain, and you need to walk the same way there and back.
But. If you do have experience, you are fit, not scared of exposure and the weather forecast is promising – you HAVE TO go to Mięguszowicka Przełęcz pod Chłopkiem. It is one of the most picturesque hikes in Poland I have ever tried!
On the way you will have a view over two famous ponds (Morskie Oko and Czarny Staw pod Rysami) and dramatic, rocky Polish and Slovak peaks. Also, the trail is pretty empty – contrary to a similar in difficulty but literally jammed trail to Rysy 🙂
The trail is 23 kilometers long with 1700 meters of elevation. You need around 11-12 hours to make it.
4. Tatra mountains: Gąsienicowa Coomb through Boczań
Szymon – Za miedzą i dalej
The trail to Gąsienicowa Coomb through Boczań was my first longer trail in Polish Tatras. Beautiful, with many stunning views. Poland, nature, mountains at their best, they say… I had to check it myself!
I start the hike in Kuźnice.
The first part of the trail is a rocky path slightly uphill. We follow green and blue trail. At some point green trail turns and goes towards Nosal, we turn right. No views for now. After around 40 minutes of walking we reach Boczań (1224 m), you can find the first “window” there and see nice views in between the trees.
But the true panoramas start 20 minutes later on Skupniów Upłaz – the forest ends, the trail gets gravelly and we see hills covered with trees and the town of Zakopane. After some time we also see Jaworzynki Valley and Giewont.
Then we reach Przełęcz między Kopami. We have only 30 minutes left to Gąsienicowa Coomb – the most beautiful place on the trail. It’s hard to describe it with words, just look at the picture!
If you feel like, you can continue 30 minutes further to Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy. Stunning too!
Distance: 9,5 km according to the map, 12,5 km according to Endomondo
Time: 2 h up, 1h35 minutes down
Difficulty: 3/10, even kids should manage. But take your hiking boots – it’s rocky out there. It’s among the easiest and most spectacular hiking trails in Poland.
[Dorota] A part of two above described trails – from Kuźnice to Gąsienicowa Coomb and Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy (Black Pond Gąsienicowy) you can also see in my photo gallery from two days trip in the Tatras.
Do you want to hike this trail? Check the above mentioned accommodation options (Willa Mountain Centrum and Apartamenty Tomusik) or look for another accommodation in Zakopane and around 🙂
Printable cheat sheets
Are you planning a trip to the Tatra Mountains? Hike smarter, not harder with these expert cheat sheets available on overhere.eu.
These concise set of notes provide essential information on trails, safety tips, navigation advice, and must-see points of interest.
Download yours and plan your Tatra Mountain adventure with confidence!